A day after calling city Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan a bike-lane-promoting “zealot” pushing an anti-automobile agenda, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz issued a statement trying to clarify what he told WNYC radio.

While it’s no U-Turn, the Beep’s prepared statement does reflect some regret. Yet he still opposes the plan to eliminate one of three lanes along Prospect Park West to create a two-way protected bike lane on the speedy Park Slope roadway.

Here’s the statement:

“Like our DOT Commissioner, whose professionalism I respect, I too support cycling in this city and have not only supported bike lanes like the ones on 9th Street in Park Slope and Kent Avenue in Williamsburg, but have also been a major proponent of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway, a 14-mile on-and-off street bike lane that connects Greenpoint to Sunset Park. Without my office’s support and advocacy the Greenway would not be happening.

“What I am opposed to is bike lanes on Prospect Park West, which will both take away needed parking for residents and park-goers and interrupt access of pedestrians to the park during peak usage in summer and on weekends.

“There are better options to explore that would meet everyone’s needs—such as adding traffic lights to calm traffic, and adding another bike lane to the park itself. By the way, as borough president I advocate for bikers, and also for those who do not live near public transportation, those who cannot bike for various reasons, and yes, those families and residents who chose to own a car in this borough.

“Also, to clear up an apparently ambiguous statement from my original WNYC interview, I in no way advocate for cyclists to break the law and ride illegally on the city’s sidewalks. My comment about utilizing excess sidewalk space on Prospect Park West and Flatbush Avenue off Prospect Park stems from the fact that, given low usage and wide widths, these sidewalks can potentially safely accommodate the creation of new off street bike lanes. I think that such a proposal should be explored since it would avoid removing a lane from Prospect Park West.”

Besides this project, there are many other bike lane projects in the works that would eliminate coveted borough parking spots. The Prospect Park West project was announced last year but has to break ground.